Bird feeder

ABSTRACT

A bird feeder having a container, a selector, and a base is disclosed. The selector has at least one large opening and at least one small opening. The base includes at least one feeding port. When one of the openings is aligned with the feeding port, the other opening is covered by a perimeter wall of the base. In preferred embodiments, the base includes a rain guard above the feeding ports.

This is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 10/339,316filed Jan. 10, 2003 now U.S. Pat. 6,834,616, which is incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a bird feeder and, moreparticularly, to a bird feeder having a food selector.

2. Background of the Invention

Commonly available bird feeders can be used with only one type of seed.For example, some bird feeders are used to store and dispense largerseeds (e.g., sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, or a mixed seeds blend),while other bird feeders are designed for smaller seeds (e.g., thistleseeds, finch seeds, and niger seeds).

Few bird feeders are designed to selectively feed one of larger andsmaller seeds. These bird feeders are equipped with feeding ports thatare externally removable or a swinging selector. A larger feeding portis attached to these bird feeders to allow larger seed size use. Thelarger feeding port can then be removed externally and replaced with asmaller feeding port to feed smaller seeds. Disadvantages of theseconventional bird feeders include frequent loss of the feeding ports bythe user. Another disadvantage is that a swinging selector of aconventional bird feeder can be broken off easily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a bird feeder and a method for making the birdfeeder. An embodiment of the bird feeder includes a container, a baseattached to the container, and a selector that is detachably housedwithin the base. The selector includes a large opening and a smallopening. Preferably, the container includes a cavity configured to storea bird food. Preferably, the base includes a reservoir configured toreceive the bird food from the container. Preferably, one of the largeopening and the small opening is configured to align with a feeding porton the base to expose the bird food. Preferably, when one of theopenings is aligned with the feeding port, the other opening is coveredby a perimeter wall of the base. Preferably, the bird feeder furtherincludes a hanging device attached to the container. Preferably, thebird feeder further includes a blind hole on a bottom surface of thebase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an exploded view of a bird feederof the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of the birdfeeder fully assembled.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an exploded view of a container ofthe bird feeder.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of a selectorof the bird feeder.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a top view of the selector.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of the selector.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of a base ofthe bird feeder.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a bottom view of the base.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an alternative method for usingthe bird feeder.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an alternative design of thecontainer.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an alternative design of the basehaving a dome-shape rain guard with ribs.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process involved in making acontainer of the bird feeder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, feeder 100 of the invention includes container 110,selector 120, and base 130. These three members of feeder 100 can becompletely separated from each other as depicted in FIG. 1. When fullyassembled as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, selector 120 is wholly captured bybase 130, and large openings 122 (see FIG. 2) or small openings 121 (seeFIG. 9) are visible. In this configuration, large openings 122 and smallopenings 121 cannot both be seen at the same time. Since selector 120 iscompletely housed within base 130, it is very difficult for a user tomisplace or damage it.

Container 110 is configured to hold bird food (not shown) in cavity 112.Preferably, cavity 112 is configured to store about five pounds of thebird food. Container 110 may have a dome shape as shown in FIG. 1.Alternatively, container 110 may be configured to have a moreconventional cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 10. Container 1110 shownin FIG. 10 includes container thread 1111 and cap 1113. Container thread1111 is configured to mate with base thread 131 of base 130. Othershapes may be configured for container 110.

Container 110 includes cap 113 and hanging device 114. Hanging device114 can be used to attach feeder 100 to an external support. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2, hanging device 114 can be used to hangfeeder 100 on beam 220 using chain 222. Beam 220 may be attached toanother structure (not shown) such as, for example, a roof, a wall, apole, and the like. Although hanging device 114 is depicted in thedrawings as an “S” hook, hanging device 114 can be a clip, j-hook, snaphook, rope, wire or the like. Container 110 further includes containerthread 111. Container thread 111 is configured to mate with base thread131 of base 130.

Preferably, container 110 is of a one-piece design without any openingother than the hole defined by container thread 111. The hole providesaccess to cavity 112. Preferably, container 110 includes body 119 asshown in FIG. 3. Preferably, body 119 has a dome shape. Preferably, body119 has ribs 118. Ribs 118 serve at least two functions. First, ribs 118can add strength to body 119. In addition, if body 119 is made of amaterial having a translucent appearance, ribs 118 can refract lightfrom body 119 to make it more visible and attractive.

Preferably, body 119 is made of a blow-molded plastic. Preferably, body119 has no opening other than the hole defined by container thread 111.Preferably, body 119 includes blind plug 117. Preferably, blind plug 117has a disk shape as shown in FIG. 3 and external thread 1172.

Cap 113 has an inner dimension that is slightly larger than the outerdimension of blind plug 117. For example, if each of cap 113 and blindplug 117 has a circular cross-section, then the inner diameter of cap113 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of blind plug 117. Cap113 has internal thread 1132 that is configured to mate with externalthread 1172.

Cap 113 is preferably attached or secured to blind plug 117 by matinginternal thread 1132 with external thread 1172. In another embodiment,one or more fasteners 116 can be used to attach cap 113 to blind plug117. Fasteners 116 can be, for example, screws, bolts, nails, rivets,and the like. Alternatively, cap 113 can be attached to blind plug 117using an adhesive.

Cap 113 includes loop 115. Loop 115 is configured to receive one end ofhanging device 114. Preferably, loop 115 and cap 113 are an integratedunit.

As disclosed, cap 113 and blind plug 117 allow feeder 100 to be hung asshown in FIG. 2. External thread 1172 and internal thread 1132 provide amethod for hanging feeder 100 without using a pass-through bolt or otherattachment that must penetrate into the interior of container 119, andwithout adhesive. As known in the art, pass-through attachments aresubject to leakage and glues can come apart. FIG. 12 discloses a methodfor making container 110.

As depicted in FIGS. 4–6, selector 120 includes at least one smallopening 121 and at least one large opening 122. Preferably, there aremultiple small openings 121 and large openings 122. As depicted in FIGS.4–6, selector 120 includes 12 small openings 121 organized in fourgroups of three and four large openings 122. Small openings 121 areholes on perimeter wall 151. Each of large openings 122 is defined bycurved wall 123 and bottom surface 139 of base 130 (see FIG. 7).

Small openings 121 are preferably roughly a rectangle in shape asdepicted in the drawings. Small openings 121, however, may beelliptical, triangular, circular, or another shape. Small openings 121are configured to allow passage of a bird food of a small granular size.For example, small openings 121 should be large enough to allow passageof small seeds such as thistle, finch, and niger seeds. Accordingly, itis preferable that small openings 121 have a shorter dimension of aboutone-sixteenth of an inch and a longer dimension of about one-quarter ofan inch. As shown in FIG. 9, small openings 121 are aligned with feedingports 133 when small seeds are stored in container 110.

If large seeds are stored in container 110, then large openings 122 arealigned with feeding ports 133 as shown in FIG. 2. Each of largeopenings 122 is defined by curved wall 123 of selector 120 and bottomsurface 139 of base 130. Large openings 122 are configured to allowpassage of a bird food of a larger granular size. For example, largeopenings 122 should be large enough to allow passage of sunflower seeds,safflower seeds, or a mixed seeds blend. Accordingly, it is preferablethat large openings 122 have a shorter dimension of about one-half inchand a longer dimension of about one and one-half inches.

Base 130 includes base thread 131 (see FIG. 1), reservoir 132 (see FIG.7), feeding ports 133, and perch ring 134. Perch ring 134, as depictedin FIG. 2, is configured to support bird 230 to obtain the bird foodthrough feeding port 133. Perch ring 134 is connected to base 130 viaspokes 136. Reservoir 132 is defined by bottom surface 139 and perimeterwall 141.

Preferably, spokes 136 are located directly in front of feeding ports133. This enables smaller birds to sit on spokes 136 and feed, whilelarger birds utilize perch ring 134 to feed. This configuration of perchring 134 and spokes 136 allows birds of all sizes to use feeder 100comfortably.

Preferably, there are four feeding ports 133. As depicted in FIG. 2,feeding ports 133 are aligned with large openings 122 while smallopenings 121 are covered by perimeter wall 141. As depicted in FIG. 9,each of feeding ports 133 is aligned with a group of three smallopenings 121 while large openings 122 are covered by perimeter wall 141.

Base 130 can be further configured to include an integral rain guard135. Rain guard 135 as depicted in FIG. 2, is configured to keep rainfrom running into feeding port 133, yet does not obstruct bird 230'sview.

Preferably, rain guard 135 is located about one and one-half inchesabove the bottom of feeding port 133. Alternatively, rain guard 135 canbe located about three inches above perch ring 134. The unique placementof rain guard 135 allows larger birds such as a cardinal to sit uprighton perch ring 134, yet easily duck under to feed. Preferably, as shownin FIG. 2, rain guard 135 is flat. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11,rain guard 135 has a dome shape. A dome-shape rain guard 135 can beequipped with ribs 1352. Ribs 1352 adds strength to rain guard 135. Inaddition, if rain guard 135 is configured to have a translucent color,ribs 1352 can refract light from the translucent color to make rainguard 135 more visible and attractive. In one embodiment, rain guard 135is an integral member of base 130. In an alternative embodiment, rainguard 135 can be a secondary snap on attachment.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, base 130 includes blind hole 138. Blind hole138 is configured to receive pole 240 as shown in FIG. 9. Preferably,blind hole 138 includes internal ridges 137. Internal ridges 137 arepreferably sloping ridges having a smaller dimension on one end and alarger dimension on the other end. For example, in an exemplaryembodiment, internal ridges 137 are one-thirty-second of an inch thickon one end (e.g., near bottom surface 139) and one-sixteenth of an inchthick on the other (e.g., about three-quarters of an inch from bottomsurface 139). Sloping internal ridges 137 provide a better attachment topole 240.

As depicted in FIG. 8, there are preferably three internal ridges 137.Internal ridges 137 secures base 130 on pole 240. Pole 240 can be, forexample, a standard EMT (electrical metal tubing) conduit or anothervertical structure. Preferably, blind hole 138 is about one inch indiameter. Preferably, blind hole 138 is about three-quarters of an inchdeep. Preferably, each of internal ridges 137 is about one-sixteenth ofan inch thick on one end and sloping to one thirty-second of an inchthink on the other end.

Feeder 100 can be utilized by a user as follows. First, base 130 isseparated from container 110. This can be accomplished by rotating base130 relative to container 110 so that container thread 111 and basethread 131 can be separated. Next, container 110 is turned upside downand a bird food is placed within cavity 112 of container 110.

Next, selector 120 is removed from base 130. If the size of the birdfood is small, selector 120 is reinserted into base 130 so that smallopenings 121 are aligned with feeding ports 133. On the other hand, ifthe size of the bird food is larger, selector 120 is reinserted intobase 130 so that larger openings 122 are aligned with feeding ports 133.

Next, container 110 and base 130 are reunited. This is accomplished bymatching container thread 111 with base thread 131 while continuing tohold base 130 in inverted position to avoid seeds from spilling out, andthen rotating one or both of container 110 and base 130 to secure themtogether. Selector 120 can be held securely in base 130 by press fit soit does not fall when base 130 is inverted.

Next, feeder 100 is supported at a location where birds are present.This can be done in several ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 2,feeder 100 can be hung from chain 222 to an external support such asbeam 220. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, feeder 100 can be mountedon a vertical support such as pole 240.

To refill or clean bird feeder 100, container 110 is separated from base130, and each of container 110, selector 120, and base 130 can becleaned separately.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process involved in making acontainer of the bird feeder.

In step 1202, body 119 of container 110 is made. Preferably, container110 is made of a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic. Typically, aPET container can be created in a two-step process in which a pre-formis made first with an injection molded threaded opening, and this pieceis next heated and blown into the shape of the container. Preferably,container 110 is made using a special high volume blow molding machine.Container 110 may have any color. Container 110 may also be made of atranslucent material. Moreover, container 110 may be configured to havea transparent appearance.

Preferably, blind plug 117, rib 118, and container thread 111 areintegrally formed with body 119 to define cavity 112. Preferably,container thread 111 is formed at one end and blind plug 117 is createdat the other end of body 119. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, blind plug117 is configured to include external thread 1172. External thread 1172is configured to mate with internal thread 1132 of cap 113.

In step 1204, cap 113 is attached onto blind plug 117 by mating internalthread 1132 with external thread 1172. The attachment can also be madeusing fasteners 116. Fastener 116 can be screws, nails, rivets, and thelike. Loop 115 is configured to receive hanging device 114 for hangingfeeder 100.

As disclosed, the present invention provides a method for PET blowmolding that produces a one-piece, integral container that has no chanceof leakage, either in or out.

The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations andmodifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. Thescope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appendedhereto, and by their equivalents.

Further, in describing representative embodiments of the presentinvention, the specification may have presented the method and/orprocess of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps.However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on theparticular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process shouldnot be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps maybe possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth inthe specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims.In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of thepresent invention should not be limited to the performance of theirsteps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readilyappreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A bird feeder comprising: a container; a base configured to mate withthe container, wherein the base includes a substantially verticalperimeter wall and one or more feeding ports located on thesubstantially vertical perimeter wall of the base; and a selectordetachably housed within the base, wherein the selector includes asubstantially vertical wall and one or more large openings and one ormore small openings located on the substantially vertical perimeter wallof the selector, wherein when the one or more large openings are alignedwith the one or more feeding ports, the one or more small openings onthe substantially vertical perimeter wall of the selector are covered bythe substantially vertical perimeter wall of the base, and wherein whenthe one or more small openings are aligned with the one or more feedingports, the one or more large openings on the substantially verticalperimeter wall of the selector are covered by the substantially verticalperimeter wall of the base.
 2. The bird feeder of claim 1, wherein thecontainer includes a cavity configured to store a bird food.
 3. The birdfeeder of claim 2, wherein the base includes a reservoir configured toreceive the bird food from the container.
 4. The bird feeder of claim 2,wherein the one or more large openings and the one or more smallopenings are configured to expose the bird food.
 5. The bird feeder ofclaim 1, further comprising a hanging device attached to the container.6. The bird feeder of claim 1, further comprising a blind hole on abottom surface of the base.
 7. The bird feeder of claim 1, wherein thebase includes four feeding ports.
 8. The bird feeder of claim 1, whereinthe selector includes four small openings and four large openings on thesubstantially vertical perimeter wall of the selector.
 9. The birdfeeder of claim 8, wherein when the four small openings are aligned withthe feeding ports, the four large openings are covered by thesubstantially vertical perimeter wall of the base.
 10. The bird feederof claim 8, wherein when the four large openings are aligned with thefeeding ports, the four small openings are covered by the substantiallyvertical perimeter wall of the base.
 11. The bird feeder of claim 1,wherein the selector includes twelve small openings and four largeopenings, the twelve small openings are organized in four groups ofthree small openings each.
 12. A bird feeder comprising: a container; abase configured to mate with the container, wherein the base includes aperimeter wall and a feeding port located on the perimeter wall; aselector detachably housed within the base, wherein the selectorincludes a large opening and a small opening, when one of the largeopening and the small opening is aligned with the feeding port, theother opening is covered by the perimeter wall; and a rain guardattached to the base at a position above the feeding port.
 13. The birdfeeder of claim 12, wherein the rain guard is integrally molded to thebase.
 14. The bird feeder of claim 12, wherein the rain guard is asecondary unit that is detachably attached to the base.
 15. The birdfeeder of claim 12, wherein the rain guard has a dome shape.
 16. Aselector for a bird feeder comprising: at least one large openinglocated on a substantially vertical perimeter wall of the selector; andat least one small opening located on the substantially verticalperimeter wall of the selector, wherein the selector is configured to behoused within a base having a substantially vertical perimeter wall anda feeding port located on the substantially vertical perimeter wall ofthe base, wherein when one of the at least one large opening and the atleast one small opening of the selector is aligned with the feeding porton the substantially vertical perimeter wall of the base, the other ofthe at least one large opening and the at least one small opening on thesubstantially vertical perimeter wall of the selector is covered by thesubstantially vertical perimeter wall of the base.
 17. The selector ofclaim 16, wherein there are four large openings.
 18. The selector ofclaim 16, wherein there are twelve small openings.
 19. The selector ofclaim 16, wherein there are four groups of small openings.
 20. Theselector of claim 19, wherein there are three small openings in each offour groups of small openings.
 21. A bird feeder comprising: a base,comprising: a perimeter wall; at least one feeding port located on theperimeter wall; a plurality of spokes extending from the base, whereinat least one of the plurality of spokes is located near the feedingport; and a perch ring surrounding the base, wherein the perch ring isconnected to the base by the plurality of spokes; and a selectorconfigured to house within the perimeter wall of the base, the selectorcomprising: one or more large openings; and one or more small openings,wherein when the one or more large openings are aligned with the atleast one feeding port of the base, the one or more small openings arecovered by the perimeter wall of the base.
 22. The bird feeder of claim21, wherein there are four feeding ports.
 23. The bird feeder of claim22, wherein there are at least four spokes, each is located in front ofone of the four feeding ports.
 24. The bird feeder of claim 21, furthercomprising a blind hole located below the base, the blind hole isconfigured to receive a pole.
 25. The bird feeder of claim 24, furthercomprising a plurality of internal ridges disposed within the blindhole.
 26. The bird feeder of claim 21, further comprising a rain guardlocated above the at least one feeding port.
 27. The bird feeder ofclaim 26, wherein the rain guard is about one and one-half inches abovethe bottom of the at least one feeding port.
 28. The bird feeder ofclaim 26, wherein the rain guard is about three inches above the perchring.
 29. The bird feeder of claim 26, wherein the rain guard includesone or more ribs.